House updates child‑support schedule, citing rising costs of food, housing and childcare

The House approved House Bill 10‑40 on Feb. 19 to revise the child‑support obligation schedule based on updated financial and economic data.

Representative Stevens, who served on the legislative child‑support commission, said the quadrennial review and update are required and that the schedules set today will remain in effect for the next four years. He said the committee considered family expenditures, differences between South Dakota and national incomes, and federal poverty guidelines. Stevens noted that the schedules in the bill reflect increases in the cost of living—citing rises in prices for food and housing—and that the change will apply to the 43,000 cases that currently use the schedule.

Members debated enforcement and the fairness of raising obligations. Representative Manhart warned that an approximate 10% increase in obligations for many payors could impose hardship, while others urged keeping guidelines current so support reflects real costs. Representative Roby asked about automatic inflation indexing; supporters said the commission’s review process uses detailed cost‑of‑child calculations rather than simple CPI indexing.

After closing remarks the House voted; the clerk displayed ayes 40, nays 25 and declared HB10‑40 passed.